Wheel of Fortune surprised viewers this week with a special episode featuring three longtime friends from a Rhode Island fire department competing against each other. Melissa “Missy” Porter, Darrin Gallagher, and Tim Stebenne brought years of friendship and playful rivalry to the stage, making the episode feel different from the show’s usual format.

Fans quickly reacted online, praising the fresh idea and the chemistry between the contestants. Many viewers said the friendly competition made the episode more entertaining and personal. The show also brought back popular features like the Jackpot round and the $1 Million wedge, adding even more excitement to the game.

The competition stayed close throughout the night. Stebenne won a trip to Iceland, Gallagher picked up a vacation to Panama, and Porter scored important puzzle wins late in the game. By the end, Gallagher came out on top with more than $20,000 in cash and prizes, earning a place in the Bonus Round.

However, the final puzzle left fans frustrated. In the category “What Are You Doing?” Gallagher faced the incomplete phrase “TAK_NG A _ _ _ _ _.” He guessed part of it correctly but failed to solve the final word, which turned out to be “whiff.” After losing out on an extra $40,000, viewers online called the puzzle unusually difficult and questioned how often the show has recently avoided Bonus Round winners.